Religion

Satellite imagery shows China has destroyed 16,000 mosques in Xinjiang

2020-09-25

Satellite imagery shows China has destroyed 16,000 mosques in Xinjiang

Almost a third of major Islamic sacred sites in Xinjiang -- including shrines, cemeteries and pilgrimage routes -- have been razed, according to an extensive investigative report.

Religious scholars, tribal elders in Kunduz demand Taliban ceasefire Security

2020-09-25

Religious scholars, tribal elders in Kunduz demand Taliban ceasefire

Religious scholars, tribal elders in Kunduz demand Taliban ceasefire

'Until the fighting stops, peace can't be achieved,' one tribal leader said.

Taliban execute 28 surrendered police officers in Uruzgan, officials say Security

2020-09-24

Taliban execute 28 surrendered police officers in Uruzgan, officials say

Taliban execute 28 surrendered police officers in Uruzgan, officials say

If confirmed, a mass shooting of dozens of captives would mark a grim new low point in Afghanistan's recent violence.

Literacy classes in Herat help open doors of opportunity for thousands of women
Women's Rights

2020-09-24

Literacy classes in Herat help open doors of opportunity for thousands of women

The programme enables those who were deprived of school a chance to learn how to read and write.

Taliban fighters freed in prisoner exchange have returned to battlefield, says Abdullah
Diplomacy

2020-09-23

Taliban fighters freed in prisoner exchange have returned to battlefield, says Abdullah

If true, this development represents a serious violation of the agreement with the government, and increases doubts about whether the Taliban will live up to its commitments in the long-run.

Photo exhibition in Herat honors sacrifices of fallen soldiers
Security

2020-09-23

Photo exhibition in Herat honors sacrifices of fallen soldiers

Security forces say they remain prepared to put their lives on the line to defend Afghans from terrorism and militancy.

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Spotlight

Taliban execute 28 surrendered police officers in Uruzgan, officials say

If confirmed, a mass shooting of dozens of captives would mark a grim new low point in Afghanistan's recent violence.
Taliban execute 28 surrendered police officers in Uruzgan, officials say
Afghan forces 'ready to defend' against militant attacks on city centers
Security

2020-09-22

Afghan forces 'ready to defend' against militant attacks on city centers

Militants have failed to hold any of Afghanistan's major cities or provincial capitals after almost two decades of war, and Afghan forces are determined to keep it that way.

Afghans urge Taliban, government to take advantage of historic opportunity
Diplomacy

2020-09-21

Afghans urge Taliban, government to take advantage of historic opportunity

Afghans from across the country gathered to urge both sides to declare a ceasefire and work at hammering out a peace deal that would end the long-standing conflict.

Chinese government lab leak raises questions about COVID-19
Health

2020-09-21

Chinese government lab leak raises questions about COVID-19

Revelations about a confirmed leak from a state-run lab have opened up questions again about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and China's commitment to safety and transparency.

Nangarhar women rally for ceasefire amid deadly attacks on security forces
Security

2020-09-18

Nangarhar women rally for ceasefire amid deadly attacks on security forces

The gathering in Jalalabad came a day before fierce fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban that claimed the lives of at least 11 security personnel in the province.

Chinese, Russian hackers intensify intelligence war over COVID-19 vaccine research
Health

2020-09-18

Chinese, Russian hackers intensify intelligence war over COVID-19 vaccine research

Chinese and Russian hackers have spared no effort in an attempt to steal vaccine development data from universities and research institutes in the United States, Canada and Britain.

Children of war victims in Kunduz plead for end to violence as peace talks continue
Security

2020-09-17

Children of war victims in Kunduz plead for end to violence as peace talks continue

Attacks by militants on security forces in the region have intensified even as intra-Afghan negotiations are under way.

Pakistan reiterates support for Afghanistan's path to peace, development
Diplomacy

2020-09-17

Pakistan reiterates support for Afghanistan's path to peace, development

Afghan and US officials praised Pakistan's role in facilitating the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban under way in Doha.

Afghans urge Taliban, government to remain flexible in their demands for peace
Diplomacy

2020-09-16

Afghans urge Taliban, government to remain flexible in their demands for peace

The preservation of women's rights and the cessation of violence remain crucial red lines, Afghan government negotiators say.

Afghan women rally to preserve achievements as peace talks begin
Women's Rights

2020-09-15

Afghan women rally to preserve achievements as peace talks begin

More than 15,000 women in 15 provinces have signed a letter addressed to the United Nations saying they want to be part of the peace process and are determined defend their rights.

Afghan government, allies pressure Taliban for truce as peace talks start
Diplomacy

2020-09-14

Afghan government, allies pressure Taliban for truce as peace talks start

The talks should continue in the 'spirit of moving towards peace', said High Council for National Reconciliation Chairman Abdullah Abdullah.

Tehran's dumping policies force 8 Herat factories to close
Economy

2020-09-14

Tehran's dumping policies force 8 Herat factories to close

The Iranian regime is flooding Afghanistan with cheap, low -quality goods to force factories to close.

Afghan negotiators arrive in Doha for historic peace talks
Security

2020-09-11

Afghan negotiators arrive in Doha for historic peace talks

The Afghan government and the Taliban planned to launch peach talks September 12, after months of delays and setbacks.

Development projects in Takhar improve access to public services
Economy

2020-09-11

Development projects in Takhar improve access to public services

Local residents expect an increase in such programmes if the Afghan government and the Taliban reach a peace deal.

Herat, Ghor residents call for ceasefire as direct peace talks approach
Security

2020-09-10

Herat, Ghor residents call for ceasefire as direct peace talks approach

Civilians hold out hope for a durable peace, once talks start.

Weak COVID-19 responses undermining strongman regimes
Health

2020-09-10

Weak COVID-19 responses undermining strongman regimes

Disregard for citizens' well-being and incompetence have shaken whatever trust citizens had in their leaders in countries such as China, Russia and Iran, analysts say.

Ceasefire, peace talks poised to increase development projects in Kunduz
Economy

2020-09-09

Ceasefire, peace talks poised to increase development projects in Kunduz

International donors and development organisations have pledged to accelerate projects in Kunduz Province if intra-Afghan peace talks are successful, local officials say.

'Enemies of peace' target VP Saleh in Kabul bombing
Security

2020-09-09

'Enemies of peace' target VP Saleh in Kabul bombing

First Vice President Amrullah Saleh sustained minor injuries in the blast, which killed at least 10 civilians and wounded 15 people.

Intra-Afghan peace talks to begin in 'next few days'
Diplomacy

2020-09-08

Intra-Afghan peace talks to begin in 'next few days'

A date for the talks, to be hosted in Doha, Qatar, has not been set, but both sides this week have signalled that negotiations could launch soon.

Herat officials eye major benefits of new Security Compact programme
Crime Justice

2020-09-08

Herat officials eye major benefits of new Security Compact programme

The programme seeks to enhance co-operation between locals and security personnel to halt crime and insecurity.

Alternative livelihood projects aim to prevent jobless Afghans from turning to poppy fields
Economy

2020-09-07

Alternative livelihood projects aim to prevent jobless Afghans from turning to poppy fields

Crushed by the coronavirus lockdown and job losses, some Afghans are harvesting opium for quick cash -- but the Afghan government has a plan in place to provide alternative sources of income.

China brags of normality as world continues to reel from pandemic
Media

2020-09-07

China brags of normality as world continues to reel from pandemic

While the rest of the world suffers under lockdowns due to COVID-19, Beijing appears intent on making the country appear to have moved on. See what Chinese state media is doing.

Iran's deep wells illegally siphon water from three Afghan rivers
Environment

2020-09-04

Iran's deep wells illegally siphon water from three Afghan rivers

Iran has been stealing thousands of cubic metres of water daily in excess of the Afghan-Iranian Helmand River Water Treaty through the use of illegal wells, officials say.

Afghan government frees remaining Taliban prisoners as peace talks approach
Security

2020-09-03

Afghan government frees remaining Taliban prisoners as peace talks approach

The government-backed negotiating team was set to head to Doha on Wednesday.

Herat residents praise Afghan forces for preventing ISIS attacks during Ashura
Security

2020-09-03

Herat residents praise Afghan forces for preventing ISIS attacks during Ashura

Security personnel detected and neutralised four bombs hidden near locations of religious ceremonies in Herat city.